Interior partition



Dec. 17, 1929.

P. FELDMAN ET AL mwmuon PARTITION Filed Sept. 5, 1927 2 SheetsShevet l W L Q ""JY\ W" 1:: 'J L LMML H I i w I!!! Mil-W a g w g I n: N

ATTORNEY Dec. 17, 1929. P. FELDMAN ET AL INTERIOR PARTITION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 5, 1927 A I M/ Phil}? r-zi$ Mag ac ker ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 17, 19 29 PATENT OFFICE PHILIP FELDMAN AND MAX YACKER, or BiaooKLYN', NEW YORK INTERIOR PARTITION Application filed September This invention generally relates to interior partitions and more particularly relates to adjustable and convertible partitions for use in oifice buildings, stores, etc.

Interior partitions as used in buildings and in office buildings in particular are generally made up of separate sections, of any desired height joined together in a suitable manner. Such partition sections may be classified as of two general types: those which have full length panels and those which have panels partly solid and partly of glass, which might be called the divided type. These two types are equally common and well known.

Heretofore, changes in space arrangements, demands of individual tenants, the need of more or less light in the office interior, and other requirements often necessitated replacing partitions having full length panel sections with partitions having divided panel sections or vice versa. To effect such a change much of the partition as at present constructed, must be torn down; an'undertaking which is both expensive and inconvenient.

An object of this invention is to provide a convertible partition easily adjusted and modified to meet these changing conditions and needs.

Another object of this invention is to provide a partition having sections so constructed that alteration from one panel type to another panel type can be accomplished without removing the sections or replacing the partition.

Another object is to provide partition sec tions so constructed that the panel or panels disposed therein may be removed and a single panel or any number of panels of the type and size desired may be inserted.

Another object is to provide a partition which can be adjusted and converted to meet the changing requirements of use inexpensively, and with little inconvenience.

Another object is to provide a partition which is sturdy, strong, attractive, and pleasing to the eye.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

In order that a clearer understanding of 3, 1927. Serial No. 217,316.

our invention may be had, attention is hereby directed to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application and illus-- trating certain possible embodiments of our invention.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a partition of the single full length panel type.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of a partition of the multiple divided panel type.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional View on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 2.

Like parts are indicated by like characters throughout the drawings and specification.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, a floor strip 6 extends along the entire length of the partition and has a groove 7 out along its top face. Tongue formations on the lower ends of vertical post members 8 fit within the groove 7 of the floor strip and secure the posts in place. Grooves 9 along the sides of the post members are adapted to receive stationary stile members 10. As is fully apparent only those sides of the post which are to receive stile members need be grooved and the post may be finished to produce a pleasing and artistic appearance. A strip member 13, preferably of metal may be secured to the upper ends of each pair of stile members to hold them in position and in spaced relation.

Facing members 11 and 12 eXtendi-ngthe full length of the partition are disposed in parallel and spaced relation to each other and may be secured in a suitable manner to the upper ends of the post members. A top rail 14,- secured to the upper ends of the posts 8,. covers the space between the parallel facing members 11 and 12 forming in conjunction therewith a housing 22 which encloses the upper ends of stile members 10 and spacing strip 13. Molding strips 15, co-extensive with and abutting adjacent walls of facing members 11 and 12 and top rail member 14, may be added to improve the appearance of the partition.

Panel abutments 18 shaped to give the appearance of a panel molding are integrally formed along the inside edge of the stile members 10 and extend the full length thereof. Groove formations 16 along the outer ends of lower rail member 16 are adapted to receive the panel abutments 18 of the stile members to slidably hold the rail member 16 in place. The lower edge of rail member 16 may be so formed as to fit within groove 7 of floor strip 6, making a neat appearing and rigid construction. Rail member 16 may be fixedly secured in this position by means of suitable nails or screws or left to slide up and down along stile members 10 as desired. Lower rail member 16 also has a panel abutment. integrally formed along its upper edge which may be similar to the panel abutments of the stile members.

Adjustable. rail members 20, of any number desired, horizontally disposed between the stile members, have groove formations along their outer ends adapted to slidably receive panel abutments 18 of the stile members so that rails 20; may be slid to any desired height with respect to the floor. These rail members. 20 also have panel abutments, disposed along their upper and lower edges adapted to receive the edge of a panel. Since the upper ends of the stile members extend into the housing 22 form-ed byfacing members 11 and 12 and rail member 14, the adjustable rails may slide up into the housing member and be; concealed there. The number of adjustable. rails that could-be housed would de pend on the width of the facing members 11 and 12, as is readily apparent.

Adjustable rail members 20 are slid to their proper location and then panels, 17, of the desired size are inserted between the stile members and adjacent adjustable rail members. These panels may be of opaque, translucent ortransparent material and so positioned that their edges contact or abut the panel abutments. of the stile and rail members. Panels of the, desired number, kind and size once in position, may be. removably held in place by molding strips: 19 fastened in a removable manner by screws or other suitable means to theedges of the stile and rail members.

Small holes 21, centrally located and spaced at a suitable distance on each side of the center line of the section, may be drilled through rail member 14 and the metal strip 13. Rods 2.3. may be inserted in these holes and furnish .-,,ameans for dislodging the adjustable rail members that may be disposed within housing 22.

Now suppose for example that for certain purposes, it may be desirable to have a partition composed of a section or sections having single full length panels. Adjustable rail members 20 are then slid into housing 22, a

full length panel inserted, the lower adjustable rail member allowed to slide down to abut the upper edge of the. panel. the molding strips attached and the section is complete.

Suppose, now, that changing conditions and requirements have made it desirable to have a partition composed of a section or sections having a plurality of panels, as for example a section or sections having an opaque andv a transparent. panel. The change from the single full length panel to the plurality of panels can be effected by removing molding strips 19, removingthe full length panels, inserting the lower panel, sliding down an adjustable rail member 20 from its housed position to abut the upper edge of the lower panel, inserting the second panel, sliding down a second adjustable rail member 20 to abut the upper edge of the second panel, and so on until the paneling iscoi-nple-te and finally placing the molding strips back in posi tion and the alteration is. complete.

These alterations can be made, as isreadily apparent, quickly and easily, by unskilled labor. A partition made according to this invention does not become obsolete but can be used to the maximum term of its life.

It is understood that the partition as. dis closed in this application is not to be interpreted as limited to any particular material. The adjustableand convertible features disclosed herein are as fully adapted for and are as readily incorporated within partitions made of metal as those made of wood.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and as many apparently widely diilerent embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that'all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

lVhat we claimis: v

1. A convertible partition of. the character described, including, a rail housing, vertical stile members having their upper ends. extending into said housing, and rail members slidably engaging said stile members in such a manner as to permit said rail membersv to be moved into and out of said rail housing.

2. A partition of the character described, including, a rail housing, vertical stile members having their upper edges extending into and capable of being fixed within said rail housing, and a plurality of rail members slidably engaging said stile members in such a manner as to permit one or more of said rail members to be moved into and outv of said rail housing and to accordingly permit the spacing between any two of said rail membersv to be varied so that panels of various lengths may be inserted.

3. A partition of the character described, including, a rail housing, vertical stile mem bers having their upper edges extending into said rail housing, spacing members secured to the upper ends of said stile members, and a plurality of panel retaining rail members slidably engaging said stile members in such a manner as to permit one or more of said rail members to be moved into and out of said rail housing and to accordingly permit the spacing between any two of said rail members to be varied so that panels of various lengths may be inserted.

4:. In a partition of the character described, a rail housing, a pair of vertical stile members having their upper ends extending into said housing, a spacing member secured to the upper ends of said stile members, and a plurality of panel retaining rail members slidably engaging said stile members in such a manner as to permit one or more of said rail members to be moved into and out of said rail housing and to accordingly permit the spacing between said rail members to be varied and the insertion of panels of various lengths.

5. In a convertible partition of the character described, a pair of post members, a rail I housing supported by said post members, a

pair of vertical stile members one fixed to each of said post members, said stile members extending substantially the full length of said partition, a spacing member secured to the upper ends of said stile members, and a plurality of panel retaining rail members slidably engaging said stile members in such a manner as to permit the spacin between any two of said rail members to e varied and the insertion of panels of various lengths.

6. In a convertible partition of the character described, a pair of post members, a rail housing supported by said post members, a pair of vertical stile members one fixed to each of said post members and having their upper ends extending into said housing, a spacing member disposed Within said housing and secured to the upper ends of said stile members, and a plurality of panel retaining members slidably engaging said stile mem bers in such a manner as to permit said rail members to be moved into and out of said rail housing.

7 In a convertible partition of the character described, a floor strip, a rail housing, a pair of post members secured to said floor strip and supporting said rail housing, a pair of vertical stile members one fixed to each of said post members and having their upper ends extending into said housing, a spacing member disposed Within said housing and secured to the upper ends of said stile members, and a plurality of panel retaining rail members slidably engaging said stile members in such a manner as to permit the spacing between any two of said rail members to be varied so that panels of various lengths may be inserted.

8. A convertible partition of the character described, including, a floor strip, a rail housing, post members secured to said floor strip and supporting said rail housing, vertical stile members fixed to said post members and having ther upper ends extending into said housing, a spacing member secured to the upper ends of each pair of said stile members and disposed Within the housing, and a plurality of panel retaining rail members slidably engaging each pair of stile members in such a manner as to permit one or more of said rail members to be moved into and out of said rail housing and to accordinglypermit the spacing between any two of said rail members to be varied so that panels of various lengths may be inserted.

This specification signed this first day of September, 1927.

PHILIP FELDMAN. MAX YACKER. 

